Rear-facing car seat in Double Cab?

Trucko20 · May 27, 2015

Hey guys, first post here.

I'm in the market for a truck, and would really prefer to go for a Double Cab over a Crew. I just like the look of it better, and I'd prefer to have the extra bed length.

I have a one-year old son who is in a rear-facing car seat. I was wondering if anyone has had a setup like this in a double cab? Is there enough space for it? I think it will be easier once he's in a front-facing seat, but those rear-facing ones take up a lot of real estate.

Another point is that my truck will not be the primary family vehicle....my wife's car will fill that purpose. My truck just needs to be able to "get the job done" for those rare occasions when I'll be the one driving the kids.

Any input would be appreciated, thanks!

Rawyzf · May 27, 2015

I have a 4yr old, in a front facing booster. We tried a double cab on for size when truck shopping, and I didn't like the fact that his legs were basically touching the back of the front seat, when the front seat was in the middleish position. If you move the seat way up, then it's fine, but if you have adult with you in that front passengar seat, they might be cramped.

I think with a rear facing, it's just going to be worse, but I have no first hand experience in that.

Maybe a CC Standard Bed would be a nice fit, if you're wanting that Standard Bed.

raym0016 · May 27, 2015

I have a 5 month old and I brought him and his rear facing infant car seat to the dealership on Monday to "try on" the various configurations. There is absolutely no way in heck that the infant seat base will fit in the back of a double cab. I would imagine a fair amount of overhang of a rear facing upright seat. I may be wrong but I just don't see it possible for car seats.

Adleeper · May 27, 2015

This was the reason I traded in my 2014 DC for a cc. Not enough room for the infant car seat when we took my truck.

haider320 · May 27, 2015

My daughters rear facing seat it almost touching the center console and I have a crew cab. I can't imagine how bad it would be with a double cab.

raym0016 · May 27, 2015

Double tap

bdbake01 · May 27, 2015

I've had 3 kids, all in rear facers. I've even successfully (and properly!!!) installed a rear facing in a '99 Trans Am, the back seat of which was apparently designed to hold a gallon of milk, and a sheet of paper. Not construction paper, too thick.

Anyway, I simply cannot imagine not being able to fit one back there. The back seat is HUGE compared to days past. It's nearly as big as my wife's Bonne.

I think the trick here is to not get the Eddie Bauer Ultra Deluxe Kardashian Edition with the optional triple beverage holder, fanny pack and gun rack. Just go to Walmart and find a diminutive seat that is safe, works, and fits! Don't compromise on the truck you want, and will possibly have for several years to come, for a brief period of needing to have the seat set slightly forward of the La-Z-Boy sleeping position on the off chance that the kid is with you.

c0ld29 · May 27, 2015

I've had 3 kids, all in rear facers. I've even successfully (and properly!!!) installed a rear facing in a '99 Trans Am, the back seat of which was apparently designed to hold a gallon of milk, and a sheet of paper. Not construction paper, too thick.

Anyway, I simply cannot imagine not being able to fit one back there. The back seat is HUGE compared to days past. It's nearly as big as my wife's Bonne.

I think the trick here is to not get the Eddie Bauer Ultra Deluxe Kardashian Edition with the optional triple beverage holder, fanny pack and gun rack. Just go to Walmart and find a diminutive seat that is safe, works, and fits! Don't compromise on the truck you want, and will possibly have for several years to come, for a brief period of needing to have the seat set slightly forward of the La-Z-Boy sleeping position on the off chance that the kid is with you.

The issue here is the ultra deluxe kardashian edition is the safest. The safer the car seat the larger it seems to be, and that makes sense. You try telling Momma you are going to risk your child's safety even a tiny bit because you like the way one truck looks better than the other. And of course over the years, just like the trucks themselves the car seats are getting bigger and bigger. Not to mention when rear facing the seat sits at more of an angle to take up the maximum amount of space.

There is plenty of room in the Sierra CC, but all I had to do was open the rear doors on a DC while truck shopping and knew that an average car seat would not fit.

Can you buy a cheapo bare bones seat from Walmart and make it fit? Absolutely. However, I'm hoping that if you are buying a brand new vehicle and have an infant or toddler that you are going to put their safety above all other choices. Does that mean you have to buy the most expensive? No.

Now that the safety rant is over, OP already has the 1 year old and (I'm assuming) a car seat they are comfortable with. The best advice I can give you is to take the car seat you have with you to a dealership and put it and your child in. This is what my wife and I did when car shopping for both of us and is the only sure fire way to know what you are going to have.

crushNchowda · May 27, 2015

what do you mean you'd rather have the bed length? I don't get it? You can get same size bed in double or crew cab

CC is way bigger

carthman · May 27, 2015

I would get a crew with kids.

aflynn85 · May 27, 2015

I have a '14 DC and i have a one year old. I have him rear facing in the center position and it fits just fine. If you need rear facing in any of the outboards, you will need to move the seat up a bit, but it works if you need it. Crew would be more accommodating, but the DC can work.

Trucko20 · May 27, 2015

I appreciate all the responses, guys. As c0ld29 mentioned above, I can't compromise the baby's safety just so that I can get the truck I want.

As others have mentioned, I probably need to just bring the family to a dealership and see what works. I'm sure there are benefits to having the crew cab that I haven't considered as well. These are nice trucks either way, I don't think you can go wrong with either.

ricker6869 · May 27, 2015

I have a '14 DC and i have a one year old. I have him rear facing in the center position and it fits just fine. If you need rear facing in any of the outboards, you will need to move the seat up a bit, but it works if you need it. Crew would be more accommodating, but the DC can work.

Same here...I have a 19 month old in the center seat of my DC...fits fine...he loves the view.

nards444 · May 27, 2015

Dont let people scare you off, try it first and see if it fits your needs. I have a 14 double cab and have a child that is now 11 months. We have one of the safest rear facing car seats man can buy. The car seat has to go in the middle unless you move one of the front seats forward, he is getting to the point now where it might be a little tight. But being almost one he should be going to a front facing seat real soon. The wife now has different car seat in her car that can go front or rear facing. I have put that one in the truck and made it front facing and it can go anywhere on the seat and there is more room.

I dont buy this safety crap, either truck is just as safe unless somebody can provide studies or empirical data to prove otherwise. We grew up without seat belts, rode in extended cab trucks that didnt even have rear doors that opened etc. and I dont remember a child genocide 30 some years ago.

Another factor is how much will the kid be riding in there, is it the family car, etc. A CC roughly runs another 4k. For us the the car is the daily driver that the kid rides in, truck is used for camp, trips etc.

bdbake01 · May 28, 2015

The issue here is the ultra deluxe kardashian edition is the safest. The safer the car seat the larger it seems to be, and that makes sense. You try telling Momma you are going to risk your child's safety even a tiny bit because you like the way one truck looks better than the other. And of course over the years, just like the trucks themselves the car seats are getting bigger and bigger. Not to mention when rear facing the seat sits at more of an angle to take up the maximum amount of space.

I must respectfully disagree. Features typically add bulk, not safety. All car seats in the US must meet the same performance requirements with regard to safety regardless of size. Whether or not said car seat can change the child's diaper or double as a college writing desk is another matter entirely. The car seat's purpose is to restrain or otherwise keep the kid in the seat and let the vehicle take the impact. Cup holders don't help with this. Besides, the smaller and (possibly) stiffer DC cabin may even perform better in situations such as a roll over.

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx

And if the OP can afford the ~$4k bump for the CC, he/she can probably afford a SAFE car seat that easily fits a DC.

NOW, let me be PERFECTLY crystal clear here. I am in NO WAY shape or form recommending anyone compromise the safety of their child simply over the looks of a vehicle. That would get u the douchebag parent of the century award right there.